California Farm Bureau Federation president outlines priorities

Calling for “farmer-led solutions” to issues confronting agriculture, California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson pledged the organization would respond to state government actions on the pandemic, climate change and other policies. Speaking to members via webcast from the Farm Bureau building in Sacramento during the 102nd California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Johansson said farmers and […]

California farm groups urge Pelosi appoint Costa as ag committee chair

A coalition of California farm organizations and water districts has formally asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to appoint Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, as the new chair of the House Agriculture Committee. In a letter sent to Pelosi today, the 70 organizations said Costa “possesses the experience and leadership adeptness” to serve effectively as committee chair. […]

Farmers, ranchers celebrate defeat of split-roll tax measure

Crediting a unified effort by California farmers, ranchers and their organizations, California Farm Bureau Federation President Jamie Johansson thanked voters for rejecting the split-roll tax measure on the Nov. 3 ballot. The initiative, Proposition 15, would have allowed reassessment and higher property taxes on a variety of business properties, including agricultural structures and improvements such […]

2021 World Ag Expo going online

For the first time in show history, the 2021 World Ag Expo® will be an online event February 9-11. Officials at the International Agri-Center® announced the cancellation of the live event on September 14, and spent the next month carefully weighing the implications of a digital show. “A digital show is not a replacement for […]

The View from Westlands: Voluntary Agreements

Voluntary Agreements (VAs) have been proposed as a collaborative, modern and holistic alternative to the State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) staff proposed update to the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan (WQCP). From August 2018 until early 2020, state and federal agencies, public water agencies, and non-governmental organizations were engaged in robust discussions to identify the best path forward regarding the WQCP update. Westlands and […]

System reoperations during wet years helped Alta Irrigation District navigate recent dry year

Kings River runoff during the just-concluding water year may have been limited by deepening drought conditions to just over half of average but new operating procedures, implemented in 2017 allowed Alta Irrigation District to deliver more water when compared to operations during previous wet years, which helped lessen impacts during this dry year. Dinuba-based Alta, […]